CMA's 2018 Classical Commissioning Program and The Composers Equity Project

Since 1983, CMA has awarded 205 commissions through its classical/contemporary grant program; only 70 have been written by women or ALAANA* composers. To address this imbalance, CMA's goal is, through the panel review process, to award a majority of its 2018 commissioning grants to ensembles who apply with women, gender non-confirming, and ALAANA composers.

To help ensembles become familiar with these artists, CMA has compiled a database of women, gender non-conforming, and ALAANA composers who have expressed interest in creating new work for classical/contemporary chamber ensembles. This database was posted on February 15, 2018 and it will be updated** on March 15, 2018.

Classical Commissioning Program applications are due by 12 midnight ET on Sunday, April 29, 2018.

**Women, gender non-conforming, and ALAANA composers who wish to be included in the final version are encouraged to contact CMA by March 13, 2018. Composers will continue to be added throughout the year, even after this program deadline has passed.

The Classical Commissioning Program is funded by The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Jon Batiste, recipient of CMA's 2018 Visionary Award, is featured in the most recent issue of Chamber Music Magazine. Learn about the pianist, composer, and bandleader's deeply social approach to jazz in this new profile by Charlie Kaplan.

Announcing CMA's 2017 Grantees

CMA has announced the distribution of more than $950,000 through its four major grant programs: New Jazz Works and Presenter Consortium for Jazz, supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; Classical Commissioning, supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; and the Residency Partnership Program, funded by CMA's Residency Endowment Fund.

Chamber Music America's Board of Directors has adopted A Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. The Commitment outlines goals and progress indicators for the coming year. The Board is interested to hear your thoughts about the Statement, as well as any information you would like to share regarding diversity, inclusion, and equity in the arts.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Why Chamber Music campaign for National Chamber Music Month. Check out the compilation video above; a complete archive of the videos is available on YouTube.

Discover videos, articles, and research reports on the evolving preferences and demographics of today’s audiences, as well as case studies and first-hand accounts of proven audience engagement strategies.

"Authenticity is usually in the eyes of the observer, and the minute you try and justify your work in the eyes of a third party it becomes more difficult to be true to yourself." – Darrell Grant, 2012 New Jazz Works Grantee